Fools of Misrule strive to 'Live Life Completely'

"Vivere Vitam Omnino" or "Live Life Completely" is the mission statement of the Fools of Misrule.

The rollicking St. John Fools of Misrule kicked off the Carnival season with a bawdy gallivant through the historic district of Covington on Jan. 11. The Fools and Jewels, who boast a membership of 200-plus, gathered for the Feast of Fools at Columbia Street Tap Room’s Seiler Bar to fuel up for the annual Twelfth Night celebration.

Medieval and Renaissance costumes of velvet and lace and elaborate Venetian masks are favored by the marching club. Clanging cowbells contribute to their noisy merrymaking, and mega-doubloons are handed out along the way.

Led by a New Orleans brass band and accompanied by flambeaux carriers, Fools and Jewels proceeded to the Covington Trailhead, where they were toasted by Mayor Mike Cooper.

Proclaimed as the 2014 Lord of Fools was Michael Bordelon, whose king cake contained the royal bean.

The revelers then stopped at Buster’s Place for shucked oysters along with spirits from The Boston Pub and The Green Room, then on to Winos & Tacos for refreshments. Marchers rambled on to Rock ‘n Blues Café for more restoratives before returning to Seiler Bar to party the night away.

The Fools of Misrule, which is captained by Gordon Herrin, encourages community involvement and promotes local businesses. During the year, members enjoy a crawfish boil, a “Dive Bar Tour” in a chartered bus to bars in old New Orleans neighborhoods, a cochon de lait party, a trip to the Fair Grounds with a private room and a race named the “St. John Fools of Misrule”, and “Fools on Friday” happy hour get-togethers.